This preseason series highlights Notre Dame’s 2016 stars by personnel grouping and identifies who to watch on opposing teams. Today’s position group: special teams. ...
Credit: Michael Caterina / SB Tribune
Know Thyself Know Thy Enemy
Nyles Morgan (Credit: Chicago Tribune)
Linebacker: Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy
This preseason series highlights Notre Dame's 2016 stars by personnel grouping and identifies who to watch on opposing teams. Today's position group: the linebackers. ...
via @WatchND
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Coach
As kickoff for Notre Dame football approaches, we close out our annual Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy series. In this final installment, we look at the position of head coach. The Irish: Brian Kelly Of course, Kelly gets this by default. Opinions on Kelly are as varied as the Notre Dame fanbase. Regardless of where you may lie on the Kelly love/hate spectrum, the fact is that he is the longest tenured coach at Notre Dame since Lou Holtz. Further, Kelly has never finished .500 or worse, a ...
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Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Kicker/Punter
Well, we’ve reached the penultimate installment of “Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy” for 2015. It’s been fun keeping everyone on their toes with these pieces. While it can be difficult to always put our best foot forward, it’s a remarkable feet just to get these out. As I sat down to write this, I got some advice from Irish Elvis: Moons you need a good hook to draw readers in, then maintain your story arc and you'll net a good story...if you keep it to 3 good points I think he’s onto something ...
Photo: Credit: Robin Alam/Icon SMI
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Linebacker
This installment of Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy takes a look at a player and position group about which the Irish have a lot to be excited in 2015. There is probably no more dynamic position in all of defensive football, as linebackers are called upon to do all things. They've developed into punishingly strong, fast players who are able to drop into pass protection on one play and de-helmet the quarterback on the next. For Notre Dame, its linebacking corps is full of proven talent and ...
Sheldon Day (UND.com)
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Defensive Line
One of the key reasons the Irish were comprehensively bested by Alabama in the 2012 title game was the superiority of the Crimson Tide's defensive line. A strong defensive line takes the line of scrimmage away from the offense, disrupting the timing of the running game and taking away the holes through which the backs are meant to run. A dominant one collapses pockets and generates batted balls, tackles-for-loss, and quarterback sacks. They demoralize an inferior offensive line and ultimately ...
Ronnie Stanley (UND.com)
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Offensive Line
At the end of the day, none of the other position groups matter much if the O-line doesn't establish a line of scrimmage. Without lanes, the running game stagnates and depends upon defensive miscues. Without an adequate pocket, the quarterback cannot progress to the open receiver or intelligently choose to advance the ball with his feet. Without communication and discipline, the offensive line foments flags, sacks, and blown-up plays. Notre Dame was able to win, early, last season, despite an ...
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Defensive Back
While visions of jumbotrons dance in my head (or are they premonitions? Perhaps nightmares?) time marches forward quickly closing in on opening game for the Irish. There’s no stopping time. There’s no stopping Sark at a fundraiser with an open bar and an open mic. THERE’S NO STOPPING THIS EDITION OF KNOW THYSELF, KNOW THY ENEMY. Today’s topic: VIDEO BOARDS/IN-GAME ENTERTAINMENT …. Okay, no, it’s not. I’m sorry. I got caught up in the moment. Today’s topic, for real, is defensive backs. ...
(AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Tight End
In this installment of our massively popular, in Finland, series, Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy, I address the tight end position. Hello, tight end position! If there's any group on this year's squad where the Irish lack experience, this is it. And, for those of you who have been following the Boys from the 'Bend for a few years, it's unlike the Irish to have a lack of experience at tight end. Perhaps a victim of its own success, "Tight End U" has four former tight ends in the NFL right now and ...
Photo: Robin Alam/Icon SMI
Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy: Running Backs
Today's installment of our wildly popular series, Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy, features that most Notre Dame-y of position groups, the running backs. Fittingly, perhaps the greatest Notre Dame running back of them all, Jerome Bettis, was enshrined on Saturday in the NFL Hall of Fame. Do the Irish of 2015 have another Bus in the depot? Frustratingly, no. Tarean Folston and C.J. Prosise, a converted wide-receiver, have the potential to be as dynamic a backfield duo as any before them, ...